US: Nebraska lawmakers set to discuss equal marriage

Nebraska lawmakers are set to discuss equal marriage starting in October

Lawmakers in the US state of Nebraska are set to begin discussions around equal marriage.

State Senator Brad Ashford said the legislature should look at the issue of equal rights for gay and lesbian couples in the wake of the US Supreme Court’s landmark decision in two key equal marriage cases.

In one decision the Supreme Court struck down a key element of the Defense of Marriage Act, in turn allowing same-sex couples to qualify for federal marriage benefits.

The decision has no direct impact on Nebraska state law, but Senator Ashford has said that lawmakers should be looking for a middle ground.

He said that if the state keeps current restrictions on same-sex couples being allowed to marry, the state would miss out on businesses bringing jobs to the state.

A judiciary committee is set to review Nebraska’s law on equal marriage starting on 4 October.

The hearing by the committee could lead to a ballot measure on the issue.